Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has declined requests for TVK chief Vijay to form a state government, citing a lack of a proven majority [3].
The decision leaves the state in a political deadlock as the Governor's office and legal advocates clash over the constitutional process for resolving a hung assembly.
TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member assembly [4]. Despite this plurality, the Governor's office said that a "majority not established" [4]. The party has additional support from Congress, which holds five lawmakers [4].
Governor Arlekar has declined Vijay's bid to form the government twice within a 24-hour period [3]. He said these decisions were based on the lack of a proven majority [2].
Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram has urged the Governor to change this stance. Sundaram said the focus should be on enabling government formation by inviting the largest party and testing numbers in the House. He said this action is the Governor's constitutional duty [1].
Sundaram said the Governor should not block the formation of a government but should instead allow the largest party to prove its strength on the assembly floor [1]. This approach would move the decision from the Governor's office to a formal vote by the elected representatives.
“"Majority not established"”
The standoff highlights a recurring tension in Indian politics regarding the discretionary powers of the Governor in hung assemblies. While the TVK is the largest single party, it lacks an absolute majority of 118 seats. The Governor's refusal to invite the plurality leader suggests a preference for a coalition with a demonstrable majority over a floor test for the largest party, potentially prolonging the period of political instability in Tamil Nadu.
